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IN MET R MANILAO
VOL. XXXVII • NO. 172 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES AUGUST 6, 2023
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RICE PRODUCTION ZONES PROPOSED ZUBIRI SHARES IDEA WITH PBBM TO BOOST OUTPUT, CUT IMPORTS
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ENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri has proposed the idea of “rice production zones” (RPZs) to boost the country’s rice output to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is concurrent Agriculture chief.
In a statement on Saturday, Zubiri said RPZs would also The Chief Executive found the senator’s idea “very inhelp lessen the country’s dependence on imported rice, as teresting,” Zubiri added. he discussed his proposal with Mr. Marcos during a dinner The immediate goal is to replenish the country’s rice hosted by the President for senators last Wednesday. stocks that were lost when two storms hit Regions 1, 2 and
LATEST BOAT MISHAP. This photo from the Philippine Coast Guard shows some passengers of the sinking motorbanca off the coast of Calatrava town in Romblon hanging on to the ropes before they were saved on Saturday (see story below). PCG Photo
3 over the last fortnight, the Senate leader said. These regions – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon – “roughly accounts for 40% of rice input and 80% of corn production, that’s why we need to look at other areas in the country to fill this deficit,” Zubiri said. Meanwhile, private importers are reducing their volumes owing to the increase in rice prices in the international market, but the government is prodding them to continue bringing in stocks owing to low domestic supply. In an ABS-CBN interview, importer Orly Manuntag said the price of rice from Thailand and Vietnam rose by $100 (about P5,500) per
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ROMUALDEZ MARKS ‘IMPRESSIVE’ FIRST YEAR AS SPEAKER
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FIRST YEAR DONE.
Speaker Martin Romualdez welcomes members of the House of Representatives to the second regular session of the 19th Congress last July 24 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. Ver Noveno
By Maricel V. Cruz FOLLOWING his first year on the job, Speaker Martin G. Romualdez’s tenure has been characterized by excellence that has no peer up to this time, fellow officials and surveys have noted. The swift passage of the national budget bill last year, as well as the House of Representatives’ approval of bills that are critical to the recovery of an economy that is just emerging from a disasdisas trous pandemic, marked Romualdez’s first year in office. Filipinos cannot help but notice his achieveachieve ments as the House leader as reflected in his apap proval rating of 70 percent and 72 percent trust rating. In the recent “Boses ng Bayan” performance survey, Romualdez, serving as Leyte’s first district representative, registered an impressive perforperfor mance rating of 95.3 percent, ranking him as the top performer in Region 8. The survey stated Romualdez facilitated the smooth functioning of Congress’ bigger chamber, which is composed of members from different parpar ties and persuasions. Competence marked his stint as presiding officer as he ensured the orderly conduct of debates, and exercised judicious judgment on points of order, his colleagues have said. Moreover, he has cultivated constructive relationships with the President, the Senate, and various government departments, ensuring that the House’s interests are diligently advocated, they added. “Romualdez’s contribution to the legislative process is noteworthy; his attention to detail and commitment to the role have expedited the signing and dispatching of all acts and resolutions passed by the House to the Senate. His administrative abilities have been effectively employed in managing
metric ton in July alone. This translates to an increase of about P300 per 50-kilo sack of rice. The Philippines has 4.8 million hectares of riceland producing 12.6 million tons of rice a year, official statistics show, with an average yield of 4.2 tons per hectare in 2022. Under Rice Production Zones (RPZs), provinces can be grouped into one, and Mr. Marcos, as concurrent chief of the Department of Agriculture, can assign an Undersecretary or Assistant Secretary to handle a specific RPZ and ensure their crops reach maximum efficiency of production. Macon Ramos-Araneta and Jimbo Gulle
PROPER DOG COAT AND SKIN CARE PETS | C4
the physical and financial aspects of the House,” the survey stated. “Beyond these formal duties, Romualdez has demonstrated leadership as a ruling coalition member, effectively aligning the legislative agenda with the coalition’s priorities and skillfully navigating diverse political interests and factions within the House, fulfilling his role as a consensus builder,” it added. Romualdez is also credited for his “political acumen and leadership qualities,” thus earning him the trust and support of most House members.
“His consistent efforts to engage with the public, elucidating the legislature’s work and symbolizing the nation’s democratic ideals, have further enhanced his esteem. In summation, Romualdez’s tenure illuminates the critical importance of the House Speaker’s formal and less explicit responsibilities in the efficient functioning of the legislative body,” they said. “His adept handling of these responsibilities has significantly fostered legislative goals and the harmonious co-existence of the House’s diverse members,” lawmakers added.
1 DEAD, 95 SAVED FROM BOAT MISHAP OFF ROMBLON COAST
PALARO CLOSING RITES. Student artists perform a dance number during the closing ceremony of the 63rd edition of Palarong Pambansa at the Marikina Sports Center on Saturday. Manny Palmero
ONE person died while 95 passengers were saved from a motorbanca that broke open and sank off the coast of Calatrava town in Romblon on Saturday. It was the latest maritime disaster to hit the country following the capsizing of a passenger ferry in Laguna Lake last month, leading to the deaths of 27 people. In a television report, Corcuera Mayor Elmer Fruelda said the motorboat was headed to Simara Island from Calatrava when it was hit by big waves, breaking the rear of the banca. Most of the boat’s passengers had attended a summer youth
camp at the church in Odiongan town. The Philippine Coast Guard and provincial disaster officials managed to get to the sinking boat in time. They have yet to release the identity of the fatality as of press time. Fruelda said authorities were looking at the possibility that the boat was overloaded, as it was rated to carry from 60 to 80 passengers only. The Coast Guard said it was within its passenger capacity, but carried extra cargo like motorcycles, which caused it to take in water faster after it ruptured. Vince Lopez
CALL CENTER COUPLE RIDES ON BURGER CRAZE BUSINESS | B1
METRO MANILA’S FRONTLINERS IN DISASTER EMERGENCIES LGU / B4
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